Columbus mayor's race now has a second candidate as Hugley challenger emerges
The nonpartisan election for Columbus mayor will be May 19, 2026. The qualifying period will begin March 2 at 9 a.m. and finish March 6 at noon.
Here are the candidates who have filed with the Muscogee County Board of Elections and Registration their declaration of intention to accept campaign contributions. This list will be updated as more candidates file their declaration.
A former Republican candidate for Muscogee County sheriff is now in the Columbus mayoral race.
Mark LaJoye, who has run for sheriff and lost five times, filed his paperwork July 11 to be a candidate for mayor.
He lost to John Darr in 2008 and 2012, Donna Tompkins in 2016 and Muscogee County Sheriff Greg Countryman in 2020 and 2024.
LaJoye served in the U.S. Army for 40 years and worked for the Columbus Police Department for 13 years. He earned a master's of law degree from St. Louis University, and a bachelor's and an associate's degree in criminal justice from Troy University, the Ledger-Enquirer reported.
LaJoye hopes to focus on issues including community safety, fiscal responsibility, transparency and infrastructure, he told the Ledger-Enquirerin an email July 14. He wants to lead with transparency and help manage the city's 'recovery from scandal and questionable standards.'
'My disappointment in our current leaders has driven me to this mayoral race,' LaJoye said. 'I'm called to serve. I uphold the high standards I was raised with, have served by, and continue to practice both personally and as Mayor of Columbus, Georgia.'
Former city manager Isaiah Hugley filed his declaration of intention July 10 for the 2026 mayoral race.
Hugley was the first Black city manager and the longest-serving city or county manager in Columbus history before the Columbus Council voted 7-3 to fire him May 27. He worked for the Columbus Consolidated Government for 41 years, including 20 years as city manager.
If successful, Hugley would be the first elected Black mayor of Columbus. He also would be the third member of his family elected to public office in Columbus, following his wife, state Rep. Carolyn Hugley (D-Columbus), and his sister, Pat Hugley Green, the District 1 representative and chairwoman of the Muscogee County School Board.
'Please know that my Declaration of Intent filing today is intended to be a clear message to the citizens of Columbus,' Hugley wrote to the Ledger-Enquirer in a text message July 10. 'It's time for leadership that listens, innovates and unites. My vision is simple but bold — a Columbus that works for everyone. Now the work begins!'
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